Beecher’s “world’s best” mac and cheese is one of Oprah’s favorite things.

Islander Kurt Dammeier opened Beecher’s Handmade Cheese in 2006 in the Pike Place Market. He has since opened a successful restaurant on the Island, named Bennetts. Little did he know his comfort food mac n cheese would end up on Oprah’s Favorite Things list for 2010. Being named to the list released last Friday, will likely have big implications for the cheese maker and chef.

Every year, Oprah releases her list of her favorite things on her television show just before Thanksgiving. For retailers, restaurants and other businesses, a nod from O is worth gold.

Oprah’s crew told Dammeier to make sure his web site could handle the extra traffic that would come. An hour after the show aired in Seattle, Beecher’s site already had 20,000 hits, the PI reported.

Dammeier said he has no idea how Oprah discovered his mac and cheese.

Dammeier and his staff celebrated by offering free mac and cheese at the store.

For information, go to the Beecher’s Web site, but first maybe wait a few days.